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They had a different way of dancing, a mystifying rhythm that was different from everyone else’s.The Latin rhythm takes hold of you as soon as you hear the beat and here they come, these grand costumed Vedettes doing the cha cha or the mambo on stage. They glide, bump and grind, holding you in their grip for the whole number, leaving you filled with an infectious happiness. This is what we felt watching this year's Titan's of Burlesque Showcase at the 60th Annual Reunion at Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender. The Latina Legends Performing and Walking were:Suzette Fontaine MarinkaJulie Mist Gypsy Louise Lola FoxxViva La FeverGina Bon BonLatina Legends are amazing women who brought their culture to America and became stars of the burlesque stages all over the world, paving the way for hundreds of Mexicanas, Latinas, Latinx, Hispanas and Afro Latinas to dance thru those doors. These are Legends like Ezi Rider, Kitten Natividad, Gina Bon Bon, Di Alba, Gypsy Louise, Lola Foxx, Viva La Fever, Marinka, Julie Mist & Suzette Fontaine here in America.In Mexico, Lyn May, Princesa Yamal, Olga Breeskin and Wanda Seux reigned from the 60s to the late 70s and have been revived in the Netflix documentary Beauties of The Night. These unapologetic Latinas and Mexicanas set off to conquer the market everywhere they went with lavishly bright and beautiful costumingand with the flavor of our gente, which made them an absolute joy to watch.

MarinkaThe Queen of The Amazons

Marinka was born in Havana,.At 78, Marinka, the 6’ foot statuesque sweetheart, is currently living in Las Vegas, NV.A daughter of Spanish citizens, her and her family immigrated to the U.S. 8 months after Castro took over Cuba. She remembers Castro’s revolution happening in her teenage years, which led her to hold on to her spaniard traditions, specially through the uncertain political times in Cuba. Quite protective of the 19 year old statuesque Marinka, her parents, originally from Sevilla, would reminisce the celebrations of La Cruz de Mayo, one of the few times she could dance and enjoy the beautiful music and food before the darker days came.

Marinka immigrated to New York City in 1959, encouraged by her father who passed in 1958. “He knew what was coming”, she states in a low voice, so her and her family called New York City their home, never to return to Cuba.

She entered a beauty pageant that won her a spot in the Powder Puff Revue, where she was paid the handsome sum of $125 for four days of work. This was quite a surprise to the young factory worker who usually earned $36 for a 40 hour work week.

She recounts that in the old days, “they hired you because you had a good act”. She says “as a white passing performer, they never thought I was latina”. People could not pinpoint her heritage completely but there was always an atmosphere of discrimination towards women of color. She states that “the black women got horrible treatment in some theaters. We helped protect them but sometimes if was not enough”. She adds that “if you were latina, they made you work quite harder to have success”. Remembering Yolanda Moreno, a dancer who was famous in her time and achieved great success as a feature, she recalls using songs like Perez Prado’s Cerejos Rojas and Besame Mucho by Consuelo Velasquez. Marinka has a lot of love for Mexican culture, specially La Doña Maria Felix, a staple of the golden era of cinema in Mexico, and mentions meeting her a few times during her lifetime, dearly describing the Doña as a fashion icon.

While Marinka had no intention of starting in burlesque, she saw in it an opportunity to make ends meet. After the pageant a friend took her to an agent, who piqued her interest with a higher paycheck, one that could help her and her family. Once she became a full time burlesque performer, she was paid $250 to start.

She was in burlesque 35 years and traveled all over the world from United States, Mexico, Europe and The Middle East. She never really thought of retirement as things changed and work became less, she never says "You can't never leave something you love so much" She attended in what we all refer to the goat farm "Exotic World Reunion" and still is how called "Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender". ​She never thinks of age or limitations, She goes and says "This is who i am, this is what i bring you and this is what she does" Marinka The Amazon now is working on a biography now as a book.

She leaves our latin community with these words "Burlesco is something you feel, is theater, is a beautiful thing, is something that in her time was a marble and it took you every where you wanted to go. Knowing now of days the market is small but thanks to all of us new kids that are continuing the traditions she is grateful because it still existing and so are the legends."Marinka says Thank you to every one that is wonderful and has so much to offer. ​

“I grew up in an immigrant neighborhood. We just knew the rule was you’re going to have to work twice as hard.” -Lin Manuel Miranda​

The celebration of our heritage is going to reach fantastic and glittery heights this January. The first annual International Latin and Hispanic Burlesque Festival is about to take place and we have the scoop below!

Currently Latinas have been experiencing a rise in representation, which they are usually lacking. This year The First Annual Latin and Hispanic Burlesque Festival is due to take place in Orlando at The Venue on January 12th and 13th of 2018. It was originally set to take place in September 2017, during Latino Heritage Month, but had to be moved due to hurricane Irma.

This Festival seeks to provide a new space for Mexicanas, Latinas, Latinx, Afro Latinas and Hispanics in the burlesque industry where they usually lack representation. We sat down with festival producer Lily LeCroix to learn more about it!

We asked Lily about her motivation to create the Latin and Hispanic Burlesque Festivaland she stated "I started this festival as a way to celebrate all Latinx/Mexicanas/ Afro Latinas and Hispanic Burlesque performers. When I started burlesque I did not see a festival catered to mi gente or even burlesque shows ". Her first venture in 2014 was a Latin Burlesque Festival in Dallas which was successful. Due to unfortunate events she launched a completely different venture in her new state of Florida. Since the Latin Burlesque Festival there have been a few small all latina/latinx produced shows such as De Colores Cabaret, produced by Ruby Rounds and the Hispanic Burlesque Showcase, produced by Bella Sin, along with a few others in 2016 and 2017, but they are still few and far in between. Lily expects to bring a renewed visibility and recognition for our Latin and Hispanic Burlesque legends given that it was hard for them to be visible as Latinas back in their time as well as visibility and recognition for our present and future burlesqueros in this industry and hopes are strong that it will spread to other industries.It's the first annual INTERNATIONAL LATIN AND HISPANIC BURLESQUE FESTIVAL!This festival is an international celebration of the Latinx and Hispanic culture with a splash of sex appeal! I'm very proud of this festival. It’s a family reunion!Headliners are:Lola Coquette, Bella Sin, Bianca Dagga and Burlesque Legend Julie Mist. Let's get to know a bit about them and the producer.

Lola Coquette

Lola claims Mexicana, Sonoran Yaqui, and Sur Americana Mix. I have an extensive background in various forms of Latin American dance, from Latin Ballroom to Mexican Folklore, Brazilian Samba, Cumbia, Merengue, Salsa, and Tex Mex. Thanks to my diverse ethnic background I grew up being fluent and educated in five languages- English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French and being very educated on Latino History I have not only been a burlesque performer for five years but also an instructor, and when I teach a class, I bring in Latin culture not only through physical dance movement but the langue and history associated which each type unique dance.

I feel when I first started burlesque, there were few references to Latino(a) performers unless you look at old grind house movies. Even burlesque history and pin-up culture were very whitewashed. As I started to delve into burlesque I fell in love with discovering our Latina Legends & pioneers and have even fortunate enough to have them share their stories with me and guide me. Growing up in Nogales, Arizona, I never quite felt like I fit in to either Mexican or "American" culture. I played in a Mariachi but also in punk band. I danced ballet Folklorico but also classic ballet, contemporary and jazz on the high school pomline. I was too "white-washed" for the traditional Mexican community but too "Mexican" for American culture. I spent so much time trying to assimilate to white culture and deny my roots. Burlesque has brought my back to having orgullo for my cultures and my ethnic backgrounds. I love that I can blend it in with classic bump and grind, neo or comedy to offer it to my audiences. I feel as every performance I am blessed with, I am given a chance not only to know another layer of my as a burlesque performer but as representative of my culture. All this has given me a spotlight and a stage to educate and promote our culture and bring up questions of ethnic/culture/social issues. And nothing more could solidity this growth than by winning the Best Representation of Latin Culture at the 2014 Latin Burlesque Festival and being published in Latin Magazine September 2014 Issue. ​

Bella Sin - Xochiquetzal

Bella Sin is hailing originally from Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua, Bella Sin is a proud Mexican-Immigrant woman who holds the honor of being named “One Of Cleveland's Most Interesting People 2011” along with the run running tittle of “Cleveland Burlesque Queen”.She has been the Executive Producer of the Ohio International Burlesque Festival for its entire 8 years, and is the owner of the long running Le Femme Mystique Burlesque.She was also the Director of Logistics for the Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival “Cle4Women Rally” in 2013.

Sin is an activist, instructor, historian, actress, and philanthropist - and is known throughout northeastern Ohio for revitalizing local Burlesque. Her achievements and credentials have been praised in numerous publications and the “All That Glitters’ documentary on burlesque.Besides being a dancer, Sin is also a model, LGBTQ community volunteer, and teacher – inspiring an array of aspiring dancers and performers. She is honored to have had her premiere project; the Ohio International Burlesque Festival officially recognized by both civic and state officials.Sin works diligently to promote, grow, and save Burlesque history in the rustbelt region of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit.

Bianca Dagga

Bianca is an Afro/ indigenous Puerto Rican and indigenous Chilena, culturally raised Nuyorican. My mother's side is from the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico and my father's side is Mapuche, (indigenous from the Andean mountains of Chile.) it is so important to me to stay true to my roots in my performances. I use aspects of my latin upbringing in every act. Aspects such as dance influence, rhythmic movements, that certain fuego in my presence, and hip gyrations. The hip gyrations and undulations is often perceived to be a sexual gesture especially in burlesque but in my Puerto Rican culture, it is part of the custom to dance like that, even at young prepubescent ages. In Latin culture dance is a means to tell stories, and it is the same with burlesque. I won Princess Of Latin Burlesque at the Latin Burlesque Festival with a tribute act to my Nuyorican roots. Growing up with my abuela and abuelo they would play boogaloo which is a fusion of Puerto Rican salsa and american soul & r&b music of the 50's and 60's. That originated when musicians from Puerto Rico came to New York in the 50s and found the r&b and jazz clubs in Harlem and naturally the collaboration of both genres was born. Right now I am working on creating a Bomba act. Bomba is another genre of music from Puerto Rico. It is traditional heavy percussion based music that is a call and response between the drummers and dancer. It is a spiritual and political release/ expression that originated when enslaved Africans in Puerto Rico used the style of music and dance as a means of rebellion and uprising as well as celebration and to create identity and community. In the future I would love to do a tribute performance for my Mapuche Chilean side. There is incredible music and stories that originate in that culture. I have spent a lot of time at Pow Wows learning about my dad's people of the Andes, as well as listen to his stories of his time there. I'm excited to represent my Hispanic culture not only in every day life, but in burlesque!

Legend Julie Mist

After emigrating to the US from Havana and settling in New York, the Fabulous Julie Mist claims to be the Latin from Manhattan. She began her career in the Catskill Mountains and toured throughout the US and Canada until she settled as the feature act in the famed Club Juana for 12 years, where she and her four backup dancers headlined the show, appearing with such legends as Sally Rand, Tempest Storm, Fannie Foxe, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tiny Tim, and Chubby Checker.

​She always choreographed her own shows, and after leaving the Club Juana in 1988 went on to feature in clubs and theaters in Miami. She finished her career in Zurich, Switzerland in 1991 at the Terrasse Night Club.

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Hosted by Nelson Lugo

Nelson Lugo, The Charming Trickster, is a magician, raconteur, former ringmaster for the Big Apple Circus, retired burlesque impresario and burgeoning grifter. Known for heartfelt illusions and wry vaudevillian honesty he is a noted and celebrated performer in the underground NYC and East Coast cabaret scene. He co-created “Vaudeville Nouveau” that ran for two years. He also co-created "EPIC WIN Burlesque” that provided pop-culture inspired entertainment that ran for four years. Operating from his vision - Nelson, alongside a small team of dedicated producers, created the very first Nerdlesque Festival. He has written three solo shows and is writing a series of steampunk inspired children's books.

About ​Lily LeCroix

Lily LeCroix is the "Caribbean Mamasita of Burlesque". This fireball is the producer of No Mija Productions. She is also the Executive Director for Fuego Danza Company

Lily has had a love affair with dance and performance since she was old enough to shake her hips! Her training on stage started with The Caribbean Dance Company Of The Virgin Islands. Her first love was Bellydancing, then Cabaret Burlesque which she began back in 1999. Lily has perfected her performances as her love affair with the Art of Burlesque flourished in 2013. She has studied as a “faux queen” (a female “drag queen”) where she learned all the stage secrets of over-the-top glamour. She is also the creatrix for LeCroix Creations. She is always surrounded by feathers or rhinestones designing one of a kind Headdresses, Feather Backpacks and much more!Lily is fluent in both Spanish and English.​Feel free to contact her at LatinandHispanicBurlyFestival@gmail.com

Burlesqueros con Orgullo! Check out vedettes latinas, latinx, mexicanas, afro latinas and hispanos giving some sazon to the burlesquera movement internationally. From Brazil, Argentina to Mexico, Canada and all over the United States burlesqueras are out representing in a fantastic way!

Lorelei - ​ChileanToronto

Hanna Dolly Bradley

Lorelei is Toronto’s exotic, erotic and hypnotic Latina bombshell. Dressed in glamorous Golden Age inspired costumes, her performances combine the high energy of rock and roll, old school bump ‘n’ grind with a dash of spicy Latin flavour.

Vivi Valens - Mexican American Chicago

Amanda Pearson- Iqbal

Born and raised in South Texas, Ms. Valens is a 4th generation Mexican-American. Both of her parents are decedents of Mexican, Indigenous, and French lineage. Vivi's performance aesthetic is inspired by the classic, sultry vixens of the 50's and 60's.​When she is not day dreaming about pet ownership or reading up on design theory you can find her performing across the city of Chicago. She's a spicy dish leaving you hungry for more, The Tex-Mex Minx, Vivi Valens.

Honey Hula-la - Biracial Mexican/EuropeanDallas

Born in Chicago, the 1st American born child of her family. She was raised with her father's side of the family in a strict Catholic home. She grew up all over Mexico & the USA with different family members of diverse backgrounds. She began Polynesian dance training in 2000 while attending college in Mexico City. She moved back to the USA at 23 and continued her dance career with several Polynesian dance troupes in the DFW.

Dee Dee D'Luxe - First generation Salvadorean-American Denver

​I was born and raised and Los Angeles California then came to Colorado and I was 10 so that my parents could give me and my sister a better life. Dancing has always been a passion of mine from ballet to Jazz to hip-hop Bachata and Merengue. I love it all. I'm new to the burlesque scene but feels like it's where I needs to be. I love to be able to tell story through my costumes and routines on that stage.my only regret is I didn't do it sooner

Eva Mystique - Mexican Washington, DC

Washington, DC born and bred. I'm a first generation Chicana on my father's side; I'm a proud mix of indengnous Mexican and Black American. I've been performing burlesque for most 3 years, belly dancing for over a decade, and am a professional fire dancer and hula hooper. I've toured the country performing with erotic variety shows and I setting DC on fire with my bruja magic and passionate dancing, expressive sensual dance interpretation.

Perlita Picante - Guayaquil, EcuadorOlympia, WA​

Perlita Picante, a sassy Guayaquileña living in Olympia, WA, had already been fascinated by Las Gatitas de Porcel, Iris and Lourdes Chacón since she was a kid. Seeing the Seattle Academy of Burlesque's recital made her fall madly in love with this art and has ran with it ever since; Perlita thus made her debut on November of 2010. In 2011, she co-founded Rock Candy Burlesque in Olympia with 5 other local performers, where she proudly served until 2016. Perlita performs regularly in her local scene, but is also on a journey as a solo artist with a mission to bring her own brand of saucy, electrifying performances to stages around the country in representation of Latin culture. She’s eclectic and classic with a dash of Latin spice, she’s Olympia’s Mamacita, La Hot Perlita Picante! ​

Victoria Cold Heart - Ecuadorian Ecuador

​Victoria is one of the first burlesque performers in Ecuador. She started in 2012 when this kind of art was not know in her country. She has performed her burlesque fan dance all over her country in many different kinds of events from rock-a-billy to gothic ones. But she is yet to perform in other countries.

Melani Khandroma- Puerto Rican Madison, WI

Melani Is a 25 years old burlesque performer from Madison Wisconsin. She is a passionate Puerto Rican that pays tribute to her roots. Her family has Taíno ancestry which were the indigenous people from the Caribbean. We have a very rich culture that my family embraces, researches, and celebrates.

Spicy Magnolia - Mexico ​Mexico City

Magnolia is a Mexican performer, creator of the burlesque company "curvy magnolias burlesque show" the focus of our shows is to do it through a corporal and feminist empowerment.

Lucy May - MexicanaLos Angeles

​Born in Mexico and raised in San Diego California, Lucy is the daughter of immigrant parents. This Mamacita has been dancing and performing from a very young age. Whether it was folkloric or choir or choreographing during her free time. She's always had a love for performance and entertaining people. As a Queer Chicana artist Lucy found love and inspiration in Burlesque seven years ago. Through burlesque, she lives her dream of being a performer and through the art of tease reclaimed her body in more ways than one. It has been a healing and growing experience for her and she hopes to continue celebrating her heritage and love for the arts with the rest of the world.

Gordita Maricona - Puerto Rican Richmond, VA

​Performing for a little over one year, 26 years old biracial with she/her pronouns originally from Fredericksburg, VA, all about fat positivity and story telling through striptease.

Eva Ziegfield - Mexican Los Angeles

Eva Ziegfield is the sky scraper of burlesque and master of all things glamour and camp.She is also the winner of Burlypicks International Legend's Award 2017.

Candy Bottom - Hispanic Anchorage, Alaska

She is sugar and spice and everything nice! Candy Bottom is a shy and quiet kind of girl, but don’t let that sweet smile fool you. Once she hits that stage she will show you what a voluptuous vixen she can be! Her passion for burlesque has taken her on many adventures across the states. She plans on taking many more adventures to far off, exotic places. She is working on bringing more of her Hispanic heritage to the stage in her upcoming performances! So keep an eye out for “The sweetest ass-et to come out of Alaska”

Perla Foxxx - Mexican, German and EnglishAlbuquerque, NM

​Reigning from the southwest Perla has been performing burlesque for 5 years. Founder of Dirty Deeds burlesque and co producer she brings live music and burlesque together under one roof. She is 5'feet tall but dont let her small size fool you because she is TNT is small package and everyones favorite cochina.

Copper Flame - Panamanian Colorado Springs, CO

Member of Southern Colorado's Burlesque Super Troupe, Peaks and Pasties. "The Little Firecracker with a BIG BANG!"

Carmen Ghia - Chicana Denver

Carmen Chia, a little sporty, a little classy, a little cheap and a little trashy

Mitzy Sixx - Chicana Seattle

Since her debut at Bacon Strip (2008), Mitzy Sixx has left audiences screaming, laughing, and a little confused at times (on purpose). She's had the pleasure of working with The Atomic Bombshells, Smooches & Science, Stripped Screw, and Unnatural Redhead Productions. Mitzy regularly performs in Seattle & Portland, but has also performed in Las Vegas, L.A., and Missoula, MT. She attacks the stage with bravado, aggression, & carnality...and being a new mom isn't gonna stop her.

Luz de la Concha - Uruguayan-AmericanPortland, OR

With roots in the most southern reaches of South America, Luz de la Concha revels in a striking narrative style inspired by magical realism, shape shifting, and rebellion.

Chairmyn Meow - Puerto Rican / CubanDenver, CO

She is internationally traveled and awarded. One third of Trifecta the Collective full representation of POC, all abilities and queerness. Awarded Master of Tassels in Co regional Burly Picks, sashed multiple times at the 2016 Edmonton Burlesque Festival.

Dahlia Dulce - Mexican ​Minneapolis

Dahlia Dulce is known as the Hot Tamale of the Twin Cities. This Leggy Latina brings her Mexican heritage to the stage, paying homage to her mother and grandmother’s legacy of traditional dance. She always brings her own brand of spicy striptease to the stage.

Nikita Bonita - Hispanic ​Seattle

This sexy pint sized senorita is Nikita Bonita! She may be small but is 99 pounds of dynamite! She got her start in Peaks and Pasties and has been a burlesquer, actor, entertainer & model for over 8 years! Since then she has also been dancer for the punk band, the Mostly Don'ts, as a part of the group the Dancing Don'ts. She is known for becoming a strong character on stage, so you never know what you will we next!

​Venus De Folie - Hispanic ​Albuquerque, New Mexico

Venus de Folie Is the hoopstress of New Mexico, combining hoop skills and burlesque. She is a member of Dirty Deeds Burlesque and CoProducer with Unicorn Productions; "creating burlesque magic in the Land of Enchantment."

Lola Love - Afro MexicanaHonolulu HI

Co-Pioneer of the neon burlesque revitalization in Hawaii. Created the first neo burlesque troupe in the state. Performer & Producer. Director of Programming for BurlyCon.

Frida Fondle - Peruvian Olympia, Washington

She's Frida Fondle, but expensive to take home! Originally from Lima, Peru, Frida is a graduate of Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque. She co-founded Olympia's Own Tush! burlesque in 2009, where she performed on the stages of The South Sound until 2013, when she semi-retired her performing to complete her Master Degree, and a subsequent career in Public Administration. She has been emceeing for Rock Candy Burlesque on a semi regular basis since 2014 and became an official troupe member in early 2017. Frida recently emceed an all Latin Review, De Colores Canaret, in Portland, Oregon. Frida is embracing this new found way of connecting to the audience and enjoying a continued way being a part of the burlesque community.

May Hemmer - Puerto Rican, Afro Latina, Cherokee​North Carolina

May Hemmer is "The Sassiest Thing in New Orleans" and the "Cocoa Barbie". Having called New Orleans home for so long, she now lives in North Carolina and is a member of the Discordia Dames burlesque troupe. She is also the reigning Miss Montreal Burlesque.

Egypt Blaque Knyle -Belizean/DominicanLos Angeles

​Egypt Blaque Knyle is an Award Winning Professional Dancer, Model, Actress and Business Woman, whose been dancing since the age of four. She has traveled the world with many dance company’s and celebrity artist. Egypt was employed by Disney foryears performing in a host of shows such as The Lion King. She was the principal dancer in the Chocolate Nutcracker, playing the Egyptian Queen and the Snake Queen also playing Nefertiti and Hepseptsut in a production called Queens of the Nile Now.​Egypt has worked in the naughty entertainment field for many years exotic dancing worldwide as a Headliner. Now embarking on a new journey Egypt debuted herfirst Neo Burlesque routine “The Question of You” in the Monday Night Tease ExoticTitty Prince Review after graduating from the Lili’s School for Wayward Girls in 2012.

Sweetie Bird- Brazilian latino-americanaLas Vegas, NV​

One of the pioneer burlesque performers in Brazil, Sweetie Bird is a nerd with a passion for seeking knowledge everywhere. A peruser of pop cliches of every era, she has studied a variety of dance styles to acquire a well founded movement repertoire. Researching burlesque with a continued focus on understanding the history and dynamics of the art form, Sweetie Bird embodies in an unique way the differences and similarities between Brazil and North American cultures. Co-founder of the first burlesque collective in Brazil - The Burlesque Takeover, Sweetie Bird has been performing all over her native country since December 2006 and more recently in Las Vegas, where she now resides. Sweetie Bird focuses mainly on neo-burlesque, nerdlesque and cabaret, but also dabbles in more Classic style using comedy and choreography as storytelling tools.